About the job

Job summary

UKHSA’s Global Operations Directorate, part of the Health Protection Operations Group coordinates a range of global health projects, including the International Heath Regulations Strengthening project. The Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and Learning (MREL) senior officer will work alongside the MREL manager to monitor and evaluate our expanding International Health Regulations Strengthening project. This complex and high-profile Official Development Assistance (ODA) funded project works in partnership with bilateral partners and regional organisations in Africa and Asia to strengthen public health systems and support the implementation of the IHR (2005). ODA-funded projects are subject to independent scrutiny to ensure efficiency and good value for money. Consequently, a robust MREL framework is essential for the projects’ success.

The post holder will provide quality, timely monitoring, evaluation and learning support as part of the IHR-S Monitoring, Reporting, Evaluation and Learning (MREL) team. The postholder will conduct MREL processes and will facilitate the generation of evidence to inform reporting and identify key lessons to add value to the projects’ delivery. This will involve interpreting findings to inform decision making and make recommendations to internal colleagues. It will also involve supporting the building of IHR-S colleagues MREL capacity to enable them to better measure the results of their work.

The post holder will be able to translate high quality evidence into pragmatic solutions to real world problems, ensure timely, relevant findings to feed into project decisions; support the generation of evidence to articulate and demonstrate clear results, impacts and value for money, even where harder to measure.

INTRODUCTION

At the United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) our mission is to provide health security for the nation by protecting from infectious disease and external hazards.  We are a trusted source of advice to government and to the public, focusing on reducing inequalities in the way different communities experience and are impacted by infectious disease, environmental hazards, and other threats to health.

Our mission is challenging, innovative and in the spotlight. We will work to ensure our people have the diverse skills, experiences and backgrounds we need to thrive, that our employees are representative of the communities we serve and feel valued and enabled to play their part in delivering our work.  Creating our working culture is an ongoing process which we are developing by listening and learning together, hearing and acting upon diverse voices and opinions to develop a common sense of identity and effective ways of working.

ABOUT THE TEAM

The Monitoring, Reporting, Evaluation and Learning (MREL) team’s core purpose is to promote a culture of evidence-use and learning across the project. Producing consistent, reliable evidence helps demonstrate exactly how our experts have helped improve technical practices in the public health workforce of our partner countries. We do this by providing ongoing and systematic monitoring support, collecting, and analysing both quantitative and qualitative data, as well as promoting learning activities throughout the project. We work closely with project teams and external partners to ensure we’re able to generate accessible, timely and reliable evidence that is responsive to their needs. Ultimately, our goal is to demonstrate that the IHR-SP makes a difference.

Location

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) operates a hybrid working model where business needs allow.  This provides us with greater flexibility about how and where we work, to get the best from our workforce. As a hybrid worker, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of your contractual working hours (approximately 3 days a week pro rata, (averaged over a month).

This role is based in London.

*Please be aware that this role can only be worked from within the UK and not overseas. Relocation expenses are not available.*  

Job description

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

      1. Implement the IHR Strengthening project’s MREL plan in designated countries/regions in Africa and Asia. This includes leading on:

• Planning and prioritisation of monitoring, evaluation, and learning activities to ensure timely reporting to senior internal and external stakeholders
• Qualitative and quantitative evidence generation in project countries and regions
• Designing internal project evaluations
• Interpretation of findings to inform project learning
• Building MREL knowledge and skills of colleagues in the IHR-S project

Review MREL systems and procedures to ensure project quality assurance and consistency across IHR Project countries and regions, and in line with regional monitoring, evaluation and quality assurance measures.

      2. Compile a variety of regular project monitoring data and information and analyse this to produce reports and other documentation for different internal and external senior stakeholders.  

      3. Ensure timely analysis of findings to translate evidence established through MREL activities into pragmatic solutions and advice to contribute to continuous improvement of project activities.

      4. Contribute to regular team reporting and review of MREL activities in conjunction with the IHR MREL Manager.

      5. Source and share existing and emerging best practice and external developments in MREL of international development projects.

      6. Line management and professional development of the MREL Officer.

      7. Deputising for the IHR MREL Manager when appropriate.

      8. Occasional travel to IHR partner countries and regions

The above is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role.  You will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by your line manager.  The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the Directorate and UKHSA.

Person specification

It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of 1,000 words (max) that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the following criteria:

See full list in the attached Job Description

Essential Criteria:

• Degree in science, international or health subjects or equivalent experience
• In Depth knowledge and practical experience of using the main tools of M&E: Theory of Change, Logframes, MREL plans, indicator development
• Experience of qualitative and / or quantitative tools, systems and methods
• Experience of developing a range of (non-technical) staff in subject area
• Excellent communication skills including the ability to train and develop others and to relay complex technical information to non-technical audience to ensure understanding
• Ability to analyse complex issues where material is conflicting and drawn from multiple sources and present in visually engaging ways
• Able to work independently as well as part of a team
• Demonstrates commitment to continuous learning and improvement particularly in adapting and improving MREL tools based on project experience
• Ability to make quick, informed decision in an independent manner
• Demonstrate appreciation and acknowledgment of the range and complexities of diversity; self-awareness in terms of emotional intelligence, biases and personal triggers; cultural competence – cultural sensitivity and awareness

Desirable Criteria:

• Experience with global health or international development organisations in designing, implementing and management of monitoring and evaluation in the health sector
• Understanding of the public health / public sector and global public health infrastructure especially in Low, middle-income Countries

Benefits

Working for the UKHSA

For more information on the UKHSA please visit: UK Health Security Agency - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Benefits

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
• Range of health and wellbeing support

Any move to UKHSA from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at Childcare Choices , 30 Hours Free Childcare, Tax-Free Childcare and More , Help with Costs , GOV.UK

Things you need to know

Selection process details

STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT: 

You will be required to complete an application form and a statement of suitability. Your Statement of Suitability should outline your skills, experience, and achievements, providing evidence of your suitability for the role, against the essential criteria (outlined in the person specification section). Your Statement of Suitability must not exceed 1,000 words.

You will also be asked to provide information within the ‘Employer/ Activity history’ section of the application form. This is equivalent to the information you would provide on a CV, setting out your career history. The sift selection panel will only consider relevant career history information from the last 5 years.

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to an interview.

STAGE 2 – INTERVIEW:

This competition will involve an interview via Teams.

As part of the process, candidates will be invited to interview which will involve an in-depth discussion of your previous experience and professional competence in relation to the criteria set out in the Person Specification.

There might be a task you need to complete as part of your interview, information will be shared with you before your interview.

Expected Timeline: 

Advert close: 23:55hrs 07/01/2024 – unfortunately, late applications will not be considered. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Interviews: TBC

Please note these dates could be subject to change.  

Security clearance level requirement

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Basic Personnel Security Standard.  People working with government assets must complete Basic Personnel Security Standard checks.

For posts on UKHSA Civil Service terms and conditions, new entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. For existing Civil Servants and roles advertised across government, the rules of transfer apply, i.e., level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive a 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest. 

Please Note

This role is to be appointed under Civil Service Terms & Conditions. Full details on the T&Cs are found https://www.ukhsa.reed.com/

Are you already a civil servant, or employed by a Civil Service Commission accredited public body? Please state home department on your application form.

Do you meet the nationality requirements for this post? https://www.ukhsa.reed.com/

The law requires that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact UKHSA Public Accountability Unit via email: Complaints1@ukhsa.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website. 

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.